In the digital age, information overload can quickly become overwhelming. Artificial intelligence is a technology that promises to simplify the process of data collection and analysis.

But what is AI exactly? According to the National Defense Strategy, AI is the “ability of machines to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence” such as recognizing patterns, learning from experience, drawing conclusions, making predictions or taking an action.

Today’s challenges to global security aren’t just changing – they’re accelerating faster than ever before. As our military forces and allied services around the world move toward a connected battlespace where systems seamlessly communicate, success requires revolutionary solutions to enable effective operations across air, sea, space, land and cyber.

Industry and the Department of Defense are turning to AI to help manage the influx of data. Developed to sift through vast amounts of information, these AI solutions will ultimately help pilots and commanders make faster, more informed decisions.

By leveraging data, our warfighters are empowered to make decisions that drive action – paralyzing, disrupting and overwhelming adversaries in a matter of seconds versus minutes, where seconds really matter.

Leading the Way

Engineers at Lockheed Martin Skunk Works® recently completed a demonstration in partnership with the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School to advance trusted AI technologies that will inform future battlespace solutions.

The demonstration focused on leveraging AI to support intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations when standard communications between systems is no longer an option because of adversary advancements. ISR solutions that harness the power of AI enable our military forces to safely access contested environments and gather the critical intelligence they need to make effective decisions.

Meet a Skunk: Engineer Spotlight

Jordan, a Lockheed Martin software engineer based in Fort Worth, Texas, pursued her passion for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math and now is part of the team imagining the art of the possible for AI.

She gravitated to a career in AI because of her interest in discovering solutions to challenges.

“From my experience, AI and autonomy give us the ability to solve extremely difficult problems that were once deemed impossible. It is the potential for solving these incredibly complex problems that ultimately sparks my passion for AI.”

For students interested in pursuing a career in STEM, Jordan recommends actively seeking out experts in your field of interest, asking questions early and often and building your network. She also emphasized that growth stems from seeking new experiences.

“Pursue projects or roles that make you uncomfortable. I experience the most technical and personal growth after being thrown in the deep end and problem solving my way out of it.”

Interested in working on our autonomy and artificial intelligence projects? Join our team to create technology that helps save lives and advances scientific discovery.